Local News

Tuesday, Nov. 3 proved to be a good day for Republicans as their candidates made a sweep of the top state offices by solid margins. Bob McDonnell became Virginia's 71st governor, defeating Democrat Creigh Deeds by 1,100,470 votes to 774,676. 59 percent of those voting in the gubernatorial race preferred McDonnell.

Bill Bolling was reelected for another term as lieutenant governor with 1,086,145 votes, defeating Democrat Jody Wagoner, who got 836,203. Voters preferred Bolling by a margin of 56.46 percent to 43.46 percent.

Brad Rees, an Appomattox County native and Bedford resident, announced last week that he is no longer seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Congressman Tom Perriello in next year’s election. Rees was one of several people seeking the Republicans’ nod to try to unseat Perriello.

The new job for Bedford’s new postmaster represents both something new and a lot that’s familiar.

Cindy Sours took charge on Sept. 3, replacing May Massie who retired this year. She comes from the Rocky Mount post office where she served as the supervisor. According to Sours, the supervisor is the second in command at the post office, working directly under the postmaster. So, becoming Bedford’s postmaster was a step up for her.

For the second year in a row, Jefferson Forest High School’s (JFHS) marching band will be represented in the U. S. Army All-American Marching Band. The Band performs at the U. S. Army All-American Bowl during half-time on Jan. 9.

The Waynesboro Players, a community theater group in Waynesboro is kicking off its season with a play about Bedford’s D-Day experience.

It’s called “Tuesday Mourning” and it got started when Duane Hahn read Alex Kershaw’s book “The Bedford Boys.” Hahn has been with the Waynesboro Players for 40 years and has written plays before. The book inspired him to do a play about these men.

Since a major fire derailed Olde Liberty Station, efforts have been underway to help the restaurant’s staff who were left unemployed. Corey Crompton, the city’s IT manager, notes that unemployment benefits don’t do much for waiters and waitresses. Crompton said that the fire affected 50 people.

Crompton’s involvement in this effort is as a member of the band Generic Folk, one of three bands that will perform a benefit concert for Olde Liberty Station employees at the Bower Center on Nov. 14.

Last Thursday the Bedford County School Board worked through two draft plans for future facility needs for the school system, tentatively agreeing to one that calls for construction of a new middle school in the Liberty zone, as well as the expansion and renovation of Bedford Elementary and Forest Middle schools.

In all, the plan accounts for about $50 million in construction costs with another $6 million proposed for new Central Office space.

The debate, last week, between Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell and Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds got off to an inauspicious start. Due to a technical malfunction in the audio feed, neither the TV audience nor people in the press room got to hear the candidates’ opening statements. The glitch was corrected in time for the debate, itself.

The Bedford County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Monday to restate its support agreement with the Bedford County Public Service Authority (PSA) and also heard a report about local preparations should there be an increase in swine flu cases.

According to County Administrator Kathleen Guzi, the supervisors passed a support agreement for bonds that the PSA issued. The bonds are through the Virginia Resource Authority, which is refinancing its bonds in order to get reduced rates. The VRA is asking the county to reaffirm its 2002 agreement.